Gas-generator.



T. H. ROBBRSON.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1911.

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gw M Q@ Patented Nov. 21. 1911'.

THEODORE I-I. ROBERSON, OF HAYWARDS, CALIFORIA.

GAS-GENERATOR.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911.

Application filed March 7, 1911. Serial No. 612,822.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Timononn l-I. RomeusoN, citizen of the United States, residing at Haywards, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gas-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gas generators and particularly pertains to a hydrocarbon burner.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple, reliable and effective gen erating burner, in which hydrocarbons such as crude oils and the various classes of refined distillates may be readily retorted to form a gas and consumed by the burner.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter more fully described and claimed7 having reference to the accompanying' drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front view of the burner with the fire pan in section. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus partly in sect-ion.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, I employ an initial retort shell 2 and a secondary or subsequent retort or shell 3, which I have here shown as beingsubstantially egg-shaped and vertically disposed.

Hydrocarbon is supplied under pressure from a suitable source of supply, not shown, through a supply pipe l connected to the lower portion of the initial retort 2, and for the purpose of controlling the level of the hydrocarbon in its liquid state in the retort 2 there is connected approximately at its central horizontal line an overflow connection 5, whereby the excess of Huid is conveyed to the lower portion of the secondary retort 3, Fig. l. The object of preventingl the initial retort 2 from becoming entirely flooded with the hydrocarbon is to constantly maintain a space above the level of the hydrocarbon in this retort wherein may be generated a vapor or gras, which is conducted from the upper portion of the retort 2 by the conduit 6 to a gas or vapor distributer 7, connected to the upper portion of the subsequent retort 3. The subsequent retort 3 is preferably connected immediately adjacent to the upper surface of the fire pan 8 by means of a suitable connection 9 with the overflow conductor 5.

For the purpose of initially starting a fire in the burner, whereby suflicient heat is produced to generate a vapor or gas in the :fluid containing retorts Q and 8, there is formed upon the upper face of the fire pan 8 an annular oil receiving ring` 10; and into the interior of the fire pan 8 a quantity of oil may be admitted to flow through nozzles 11 vertically arranged above the fire pan 8 and being adapted to discharge the fluid within the area of the oil receiving ringl0.

then starting operations, a quantity of fluid is admitted through the supply pipe 4f, until it assumes a level indicated at A, Fig'. 2, when it will overflow and run through the connection 5 and flow up through the retort 3 and discharge through the transverse arms of the burner nozzles 1l, dripping); into the receptacle formed by the ring 10. The transverse arms of the nozzles 1l are in a plane somewhat lower than the plane of the discharge or overflow member 5 at its connection with the initial retort 2, so that this insures a discharge of oil through the nozzles 11 after the level A has been attained in the initial retort Having' discharged a small quantity of oil upon the upper surface of the fire pan 8. this may be ignited by any suitable means and the heat of combustion of this oil upon the fire pan 8 will immediately heat the retorts 2 and 3, thereby volatilizing the oil in the initial retort 2; and the gas or vapor generated therein will pass upwardly across the conduit down into the connection 7 and be discharged at the nozzles 11 and there burned.

`lf have found by actual demonstration with a series of these burners that various oils can efficiently be volatilized in this burner, and this is because such portions of the hydrocarbons as are not first volatilized in the retort 2 overflow throughthe connections 5 and arise in the superheated retort 3 which, as shown, is surrounded by the flame generated during the combustion of gas immediately above the fire pan 8. The initial retort 2 is located, as shown, to one side of the fire pan and does notbecome heated to the extent that the secondary retort 3 does, which is entirely within the zone of combustion. Thus. since the secondary retort 3 is superheated by reason of its central location within the zone of combustion, such low grade hydrocarbons or portions thereof as are not volatilized in the retort 2, are completely so gasified in the superheated retort 3, the gas from which arises and passes into the gas conducting connection 7 eventually being discharged through the nozzles 1l. It may be desirable under certain conditions to supply the iire pan 8 with a quantity of water to aid in combustion of the flame and prevent the deposit of carbonaceous material and this can be accomplished by means of a water supply pipe 12 attached to the burner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A gas generating apparatus, comprising a plurality of vertical retorts, means for supplying a hydrocarbon to the lower end of one of the retorts, a conductor connected to the latter retort between its ends and connected to the other retort at its lower end, a conduit connecting the upper ends of the retorts, and gas discharging tips connected to one of the retorts.

2. An oil burning device, comprising'initial and secondary vertical retorts, means for delivering hydrocarbon to the lower portion of the initial retort, an overliow pipe connected to the side of same and to the secondary retort whereby a volume of hydrocarbon is conducted to the secondary retort, a conduit connected to the upper portion of each retort, and vapor discharge tips in the conduit.

3. A vapor generator and burner comprising an initial retort having a liquid outlet in its side, a liquid fuel supply connection for said retort, a secondary retort, a connection between said retorts for conveying liquid from the initial to the secondary retort, and a vapor conductor, having burner tips, connected to the upper parts ofv said retorts.

4;. A vapor generator and burner comprising an initial retort having an overflow opening in its side, burner nozzles, a vapor conductor connecting the nozzles and the upper part of said retort, a liquid fuel supply pipe in the lower part of the retort, a secondary retort, a conductor for conveying the overflow liquid from the initial retort to the secondary retort, and connections between the secondary retort and the nozzles.

5. A vapor generator and burner comprising an initial retort having an overflow opening in its side, burner nozzles, a vapor conductor connecting the nozzles and the upper part of said retort, a liquid fuel supply pipe in the lower part of the retort, a secondary retort, a conductor for conveying the overiiow Aliquid from the initial retort to the secondary retort, connections between the secondary retort and the nozzles, and a fire pan surrounding the secondary retort.

6. A vapor generator and burner comprising an initial retort, a vapor conductor connected to the upper part thereof, a retort fuel supply pipe, a secondary retort adapted to be supplied with liquid discharged from the initial retort, and burner pipes connected to the vapor conductor in a plane below the discharge point of the initial retort.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THEODORE H. ROBERSON.

IVitnesses:

GEO. IV. DAvIs, C. MATTESON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

